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Posada suspenion nets Yanks 14th walk off win of the season

Posted by Rebecca Glass at 11:03 pm 4 Responses »
Sep 162009

If the Yankees never get into a brawl last night and Jorge Posada never gets suspended, Francisco Cervelli never gets his bottom-of-the-ninth at bat with Brett Gardner on third base.

True, maybe the Yankees don’t need some ninth inning magic to win the game, but that ruins the fun of this post.

As it were, Chad Gaudin did the whole Chad Gaudin thing: he pitched well enough for five innings and then necessitated the bullpen coming in during the sixth inning.

Toronto soon took a 4-2 lead thanks to the ineffectiveness of Brian Bruney (who, at this rate, must have Pebble Beach reservations come October 1st…). It should be mentioned that both Phils, Coke and Hughes, Damaso Marte and Mariano Rivera all pitched well, and at this rate, it’s those guys, much more than Bruney, that will be relied upon come the postseason.

It looked like it might be another depressing loss–not devastating, just not the way you want to end a homestand before a trip to Seattle and Anaheim–until Hideki Matsui hit a two-run home run in the eighth inning to tie the game.

Once that happened, it was as though the Yankees had new life.

Joe Girardi here deserves credit for a double-switch in which he hit Gardner in the nine spot in the line up and Cervelli in the second spot–because at the time, the ninth spot came up before the second, which ended up playing out in a perfect manner.

Brett Gardner singled to get on base, stole second, went to third on Jeter’s out and then scored on Cervelli’s single.

The magic number for a playoff spot of any sort right now is now four, and the division is eleven–and could well be ten by the end of the night.

Fourteen walk-off wins–including two on this homestand–and even the rookies are getting in on the action.

It’s not the worst way to head to the West Coast.

Game 147: Blue Jays @ Yankees

Posted by Chris H. at 7:21 pm 53 Responses »
Sep 162009

Sorry for the late thread.

Here are the lineups, courtesy of PA (LoHud):

YANKEES (93-53)
Jeter SS
Hairston LF
Teixeira 1B
Rodriguez 3B
Matsui DH
Swisher RF
Cano 2B
Cabrera CF
Molina C

Pitching: RHP Chad Gaudin (1-0, 3.42 with Yankees).

BLUE JAYS (66-79)
Scutaro SS
Hill 2B
Lind DH
Wells CF
Overbay 1B
Encarnacion 3B
Barajas C
Bautista RF
Snider LF

Pitching: LHP Brian Tallet (7-9, 5.26).

TIME/TV: 7:05, YES.

The Yanks can really use a win after last night’s mess.

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Posada suspended, fined

Posted by Chris H. at 5:17 pm 16 Responses »
Sep 162009

Jorge Posada has been suspended for four games due to his actions last night. He has also been fined $3,000. Jesse Carlson, who was on the bad end of someone’s punch, received the same punishment from the MLB. Jorge might as well serve his suspension now. The Yankees should be able to win this weekend’s Seattle series without him.

UPDATE – Posada’s suspension is actually 3 games if he doesn’t appeal (how strange is that), so he’ll begin serving it tonight. Same goes for Carlson. Shelley Duncan has also been suspended 3 games for his role in the fracas and will appeal. It doesn’t stop there, though, as Kevin Long, Edwar Ramirez and Rod Barajas were fined for their actions (I have no idea what Long did to warrant his fine).

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Hunter: 2009 Yankees Have "Different Fire," Having More Fun

Posted by Moshe Mandel at 4:00 pm 2 Responses »
Sep 162009

From Jack Curry:

“There’s a different fire about those guys,” Hunter said. “I’ve been playing a long time. I know they hit homers, they do different things, but it’s the smaller things I see that’s different.”

While Hunter said there was a difference about the Yankees, he could not pinpoint exactly what it was. Hunter said the Yankees routinely had the largest payroll so “you can’t say it’s that.” He wondered if C.C. Sabathia’s arrival was the reason for the difference. He also mentioned the jolly Nick Swisher as a positive addition.

“It’s something different over there about those guys, like they’re having a lot more fun instead of walking on eggshells,” Hunter said.

The additions of Swisher, Sabathia, and Burnett have helped radically alter the culture in the Yankees clubhouse, with the team clearly more relaxed and having more fun than in years past. It is also important to note that Joe Girardi has been working extremely hard to cultivate this attitude since the very beginning of spring training, as Bill Madden noted back in May:

Togetherness was what Girardi made a point of in spring training when he arranged that surprise “Day at the Pool Parlor.” Say this for Girardi, he recognized what guys like Damon are only now willing to talk openly about: The Yankee clubhouse was a joyless place in the latter years of the Joe Torre regime. Part of it was the personnel – how could anyone find any fun being around Kevin Brown? – but a big part of it was the generation gap that existed between Torre and his players. Aside from his small coterie of veterans from the championship years, Torre kept his distance from his players and when each new high profile free agent came over from another organization, like Jason Giambi, Hideki Matsui or Damon, they were never able to blend in with the championship core as it gradually diminished. It was apparently the consummate “25 players, 25 taxi cabs” team.

“Rarely in the last three years I’ve been here would there be four-five guys hanging out playing video games in the hotel room,” Brian Bruney said. “Now, guys are having fun and they want to hang out together. The shaving cream, the music, people need to realize you can do those things and still win. You can’t win with just All-Stars all around. We’ve done that the past three years and we haven’t done anything.”

The manager has allowed music in the clubhouse, the awarding of the championship belt to the player of the game, and the pie throwing exploits of AJ Burnett. To Girardi’s credit, he has allowed a certain lightheartedness to enter the clubhouse at appropriate times, deftly managing the mood so that the team has not gotten too high in triumph nor too low when facing defeat. This is a pretty dramatic change from the admittedly tense demeanor that Joe brought to the 2008 version of the Yankees, as well as the buttoned-up feel that the Torre teams exhibited. Hopefully, the improved chemistry does in fact translate into a “different fire” and better results once October rolls around.

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Will Guzman Make The Postseason Roster?

Posted by Moshe Mandel at 2:00 pm 12 Responses »
Sep 162009

From Joel Sherman:

The Yankees are likely to have the home-field advantage throughout the AL playoffs, and with that comes the right to pick a first-round series in which they have multiple off-days that allow them to go with three starters. With the extra off-days they need no more than a seven-man bullpen. Thus, they can have 15 position players or six extra men on the bench.

The locks are Gardner, Jerry Hairston and Jose Molina. That leaves three open slots to pick among Francisco Cervelli, Ramiro Pena, Eric Hinske, Shelly Duncan and Guzman. Do the Yanks feel they need a lefty power bat (Hinske), a righty power bat (Duncan), a second extra infielder who can run a bit (Pena), a third catcher (Cervelli) that would allow them to more liberally run for Jorge Posada and Jose Molina or a pure speed guy (Guzman).

I think the Yankees will take 11 pitchers, with CC, AJ, Pettitte, Joba, Mariano, Hughes, Coke, Marte, Robertson, Bruney, and Aceves making the cut. Considering that Shelley Duncan and Frankie Cervelli have been given minimal playing time recently, I would guess that neither is a legitimate option for a roster spot. That leaves two spots for Hinske, Pena, and Guzman, with Hinske almost certain to make the team as the lone power threat off the bench. Essentially, we are left with a choice between a second utility player (Pena) and a second base stealing threat (Guzman). Joe over at RAB addressed this issue yesterday:

A speed threat on the bench is a luxury in October, and one the Yankees can certainly afford. But can they spare two spots to speedsters? It seems as though Melky Cabrera is the starting center fielder, with Gardner coming in every once in a while, rather than any kind of set platoon. He’s one guy who can pinch run in close and late situations. Do the Yankees need another?
Right now, the odds are against Guzman making the roster, but things can change between now and October 7. If Melky starts to falter and Gardner starts more in center, perhaps the Yankees will think it worthy to have a speeders for whom they can pick spots. If Gardner’s starting, the Yanks obviously can’t use him to pinch run for Posada or Matsui in a difficult spot. The presence of Guzman would afford them that luxury. I guess it will come down to how the team plays down the stretch, and how the Yankees think they can best use their extra position player.

I have to disagree with Joe, in that I do not believe that this has anything to do with Gardner. Whoever is the 25th man will be the last person off the bench, used after Gardner. The question is, would you prefer that last guy be a versatile player or a base stealer? I would prefer Guzman, as I see no instance where Pena’s defense will come into play. His versatility is essentially meaningless, because it is unlikely that he would be needed to replace Cano, Jeter, or Rodriguez. Rather, he too would be used as a pinch-runner for Posada, Matsui, Swisher, or Damon. Considering that it is significantly more likely that the player being replaced is an outfielder rather than an infielder, Guzman would likely be the right choice regardless of his advantage in terms of speed. The fact that he is significantly faster than Pena is just icing on the cake.

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Yanks cutting ticket prices in 2010

Posted by Chris H. at 12:05 pm 1 Response »
Sep 162009

In 2010, the Yankees will have cut the ticket prices for 6,454 of their seats while the rest—41,928 seats—will remain at the same season price as this year. Only 1,704 seats in the Main Level will experience an increase in pricing as those tickets will go from $100 to $125. You can see more information about the prices and a grid reflecting the changes for next year, here.

Obviously, I think we can all agree that the Yankees made the right decision with these cuts. Many of the price decreases involve the ridiculously expensive Legends Suite seats, which line the infield. I have yet to see a number regarding the price decrease with those—this year, folks are paying $500-$2,625 per game—but, according to the reports, 97% of the Legends Suite seats will drop in price. Therefore, they’ll go from ridiculously expensive to far too expensive.

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Post Game Reactions to Last Night's Brawl

Posted by Steve S. at 7:36 am 3 Responses »
Sep 162009

When you have a brawl like the one we saw last night, there will be plenty of interesting quotes after the game explaining what happened and what’s next. I’ll go through them one by one:

Jorge Posada:

“He was just right there on the line to the dugout. We got carried away and hopefully that’s the end of it,” the 38-year-old Posada said. “I don’t want my kids to see that. … Fight in the middle of the field, benches clearing — that’s a bad example.”

Jay’s pitcher Carlson:

“Once he crossed the plate and threw that elbow at me or whatever, I just said, ‘Let’s go,”‘ Carlson said. “I’m probably the smallest guy in MLB and we were right near their dugout, so I was just hoping I got out of there all right.”

(snip)

The six-foot-one, 160-pound Carlson, also ejected, was left with a large red knot on the left side of his forehead.

“We were wrestling or whatever and we both went down to the ground. We were kind of right near their dugout and kind of got trampled on for a little bit. I was trying to cover up and I’m not sure who it was, but somebody moved my hands out of the way and got in a shot,” Carlson said. “I’m fine. It doesn’t even hurt.”

Cito Gaston:

“I don’t know if that was too smart, because they certainly have a lot more to lose than we do,” Toronto manager Cito Gaston said. “They’re going to the playoffs and maybe the World Series, and you can get guys hurt out there.

Umpire Jim Joyce:

“As he ran past Carlson, he gave him a little shove with his elbow. It was very unsportsmanlike. The pitcher wasn’t looking for anything like that and he ran past him, didn’t say anything and just gave him a shove with his elbow. It was very unsportsmanlike. It was cheap shot,” umpire Jim Joyce said.

Joe Girardi:

Joe Girardi was not real thrilled with his team and held a meeting after the game to tell them that.

“We’ve already had a discussion,” he said. “I told them there is a lot at stake here and we can’t afford to get anyone hurt or lose anyone or get people suspended. We can’t do that.”

I’ll be the first to admit I love seeing players stand up for each other and not let other teams treat them like pin cushions. But with this team, it’s not about defending your honor in a largely meaningless September game against Blue Jays. The 2009 Yanks are all about October. Girardi’s been telling them that all year, telling guys like Posada to put aside his desire to play everyday and leave something in the tank. Telling CC to come out of games in the 7th inning when he’d prefer to stay out there. Telling Joba to pitch 3 and 4 inning starts, so he doesn’t burn himself out long term and has some innings left in that arm for the playoffs. Girardi has told them all year to put aside personal issues for the sake of the team, and last night’s events turned that edict on it’s head.

I’ll be shocked if Mark Melancon hasn’t thrown his last pitch for the Yanks this season. If I know anything about Girardi, he won’t risk a situation like this happening again. He was already demoted earlier this year after a similar situation against the Red Sox in which Girardi voiced his displeasure to him afterwards. Melancon has hit 4 batters in 16.1 IP this season. I’m not sure any of them were intentional (though I’m not sure they weren’t, either) but he obviously doesn’t know where the ball is going at this point. He’s also walked 10 batters in those 16.1 IP. Which is odd, because his control was far better (1.9 BB/9IP) in the minors this season. For a kid who we all heard had ‘off the charts makeup’ he has certainly wet the bed in the bigs this year. Which is fine, many young pitchers struggle initially, but now his issues have spilled over to affect the entire team. He may be our future closer, but in 2009 he’s just not worth the risk.

I’m not blaming Melancon for Posada’s actions, one is a raw rookie and the other a seasoned veteran who should know better. But as Girardi often says ‘Baseball is an emotional game’ and we all know Jorge is an emotional powder keg. Last thing they need is a fuse on this team.

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Minors Recap, 9/15

Posted by Eric Schultz at 12:26 am No Responses »
Sep 162009

Scranton defeated by Durham, 4-1 (Durham leads best of 5 series 1-0)

  • Romulo Sanchez took the loss for the Yankees, giving up 3 runs on 4 hits and 2 walks in 5 innings, with 8 strikeouts.  He was outdueled by Jeremy Hellickson, who gave up a run and fanned 6 in 6 2/3 innings.
  • Zach Kroenke gave up a run on 2 hits and a walk in 1 inning of relief, with 2 strikeouts.
  • Jose Valdez struck out 2 in 2 perfect innings.
  • Kevin Russo and Colin Curtis were 1 for 4, and each made an error.
  • Austin Jackson was 0 for 2 with 2 walks.
  • Juan Miranda was 0 for 3 with a walk.
  • John Rodriguez was 2 for 4 with a solo shot off Hellickson.
  • Reegie Corona was 1 for 3 with a double.

Tampa falls to Charlotte, 3-1 (5-game series tied 2-2)

  • Ryan Zink was the loser, giving up 3 runs on 6 hits and 2 walks in 5 2/3 innings, with 4 strikeouts.
  • Jonathan Ortiz pitched 1 1/3 perfect innings of relief.
  • Dan Brewer was 1 for 4.
  • David Adams was 2 for 4 with a double.
  • Austin Romine was 0 for 4, and threw out the only runner attempting to steal on him.
  • Damon Sublett was 0 for 3 with a walk.
  • Luis Nunez was 1 for 3.

Staten Island falls to Mahoning Valley, 3-2 (11 innings, 3-game series tied 1-1)

  • Sean Black started for the Yankees, giving up 2 runs on 5 hits in 4 innings of work, with 8 strikeouts.
  • Griffin Bailey, Gavin Brooks and Ryan Flannery combined for 6 shutout innings, allowing 5 hits and 2 walks while striking out 7.
  • Ronny Marte took the loss, giving up a solo homer in the bottom of the 11th.
  • Jimmy Paredes and Deangelo Mack were each 2 for 5 with a double.  Paredes is hitting .455 in the postseason.
  • Luke Murton and Kyle Higashioka were 1 for 5.
  • Carmen Angelini was 1 for 4.

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